Definitely, Maybe (2008)

Director:

Adam Brooks

Writer (WGA):

Adam Brooks (written by)

Release Date:

14 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

Three relationships. Three disasters. One last chance.

Plot:

A political consultant tries to explain his impending divorce and past relationships to his 11-year-old daughter.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Divorce | Politics | Sex | Interracial Relationship

Awards:

1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Jan. 8	2:30 AM	MAX
Wed. Jan. 13	4:15 PM	MAX

Cast

Ryan Reynolds	...	Will Hayes
An Nguyen	...	Ad Exec
Matthew Mason	...	Headphone Guy
Rick Derby	...	Visitor from Planet Ordon (as Ricky Jay Derby)
Sakina Jaffrey	...	School Mom
Bob Wiltfong	...	School Dad
Ryder Chasin	...	Boy with Book
Fiona Lane	...	Angry Girl
Dana Eskelson	...	Angry Girl's Mom
Blake Benitez	...	School Kid #1
Paulina Gerzon	...	School Kid #2
Victoria Goldsmith	...	School Kid #3
Ashtyn Greenstein	...	School Kid #4
Ashley Greiner	...	School Kid #5
Dylan Hartigan	...	School Kid #6

Also Known As:

Un jour, peut-être (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, including some frank dialogue, language and smoking.

Runtime:

UK:112 min

Country:

UK | USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:AL | Canada:G (Quebec) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43597) | South Korea:15 | Germany:o.Al. | Malaysia:U | Sweden:Btl | Australia:M (DVD release) | Argentina:13 | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:12 (DVD rating) | Iceland:L | Brazil:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Director Cameo: [Adam Brooks]The used bookstore owner.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The dark jeans Will wears throughout the flashbacks are modern styles and not reflective of men's fashion of the 1990s.

Quotes:

Maya Hayes: How come you changed all names except hers?
Will Hayes: What do you mean?
Maya Hayes: In the story, you know like mom became Emily, and Summer's that Natasha lady who writes for that magazine... But you didn't change April's. Why?
Will Hayes: Why - Why are you so concerned with this anyway?
Maya Hayes: Because I want you to be happy.
Will Hayes: You know, I'm happy.
Maya Hayes: Trust me, dad. You're not happy.
Will Hayes: [Long pause] Put on your coat.

Movie Connections:

References Parenthood (1989)

Between a Maybe and a Definitely

The intention behind Adam Brooks's 'Definitely, Maybe' may be sincere, the film has heart but it's the writing that is disappointing. It could have used more comic sequences as it gets a tad dull at times. Most of the jokes that were used were not even funny, especially that whole sex-ed thing in the beginning (which is the kind of thing you expect in a bad American comedy). There are a few plot holes and the mystery behind 'who the mother is' isn't convincingly told.

Needless to say, 'Definitely, Maybe' is more a romantic drama than a comedy. The execution is quite decent. The cinematography is efficient. The score is not bad. Ryan Reynolds is cast against type. He shows growth as an actor and does a decent job. Rachel Weisz is brilliant as the ambitious and smoldering Summer. Isla Fisher is adorable (even though her role is a bit clichéd). Elizabeth Banks makes the best of her role but the writing lets her down. Provided that she's such an important character, there is too little of her in the movie. Abigail Breslin has her share of annoying moments and bad acting (especially in the beginning) but she's much better in the latter scenes, during the more intense moments. Kevin Kline is hilariously hideous.

'Definitely, Maybe' does have its syrupy moments but they're not overdone to the point of getting irritating. It's quite a decent film, perhaps, a good date movie. It's a shame that the writing is a letdown otherwise the movie could have been more than it is.